Suitcase

ABSTRACT

A suitcase essentially consisting of frames of extruded light metal and planar panels of rigid wood is assembled by edges of the panel members being adhesively fastened in elongated grooves of the frames, one side wall of each groove being provided with integral, longitudinal ribs. The ribs mechanically interlock with the adhesive layer and prevent the adhesive from being released from the frame under unfavorable conditions.

United States Patent 1 91 Hamann et a1.

1451 May 151973 1541 SUITCASE [75] Inventors: Klaus l-lamann, 8191Hohenrain; Jurgen l-lamann, 8033 Krailling, both of Germany [73]Assignee: Rox-Lederwarenfabriken KG, Munich, Germany [22] Filed: July19, 1971 [21] App1.N0.: 164,156

Hamann [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 30, 1970 Germany ..G70 28 787.5

[52] US. Cl ..l90/49, 190/54 [51] Int. Cl ..A45c 13/04 [58] Field ofSearch ..190/24, 28, 49, 50,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,623 5/1963 Parker190/28 X 2,604,961 7/1952 Koch 190/28 2,743,029 4/1956 Mautner.......190/2s x 2,717,093 9/1955 Mautner 190/28 x FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,147,916 4/1969 Great Britain ..190/28 PrimaryExaminer-Donald F. Norton Attorney-Kelman and Berman [57] ABSTRACT Asuitcase essentially consisting of frames of extruded light metal andplanar panels of rigid wood is assembled by edges of the panel membersbeing adhesively fastened in elongated grooves of the frames, one sidewall of each groove being provided with integral, 10ngitudinal ribs. Theribs mechanically interlock with the adhesive layer and prevent theadhesive from being released from the frame under unfavorableconditions.

8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Pgtented May 1, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet I(VENTURE K/M Ha mam BY ju'rqe H MUM MM 624%;

Patented May 1, 1973 2 Shea ts-Sheet 3 kQ/MAM M/ Harm f epv;

SUITCASE This invention relates to suitcases and like pieces of luggage,and particularly to improvements in a piece of luggage essentiallyconsisting of grooved frames and panels whose edge portions are receivedin the grooves of the frames.

The known luggage of the afore-described type, as disclosed, forexample, in German Utility Model 1,960,380, filed on Feb. 20, 1967, andthe corresponding British Pat. No. 1,147,916, has been used successfullyheretofore. The panels are adhesively secured in the grooves of theframes, and such difficulties as were encountered with such luggage aredue to failure of the adhesive bond at the interface with the metallicframe surfaces. The normally employed rubber or polyvinyl alcohol latexadhesives form bonds of limited strength with the light metal.Thermoplastic adhesives also have been used, and have been found tosoften sufficiently to flow from the grooves when the luggage is exposedto high temperatures. Epoxy-resin adhesives, while not subject to theshortcomings outlined above, are not conveniently used in thisapplication.

The primary object of this invention is an improved bond between theadhesive layer and the metal of the frames which does not rely onadhesive material of any specific composition, but is effectiveregardless of the type of adhesive employed.

With this object and others in view, as will hereinafter becomeapparent, the invention, in its more specific aspects, resides in apiece of luggage which has a body portion,'a cover portion, and asealing arrangement which releasably seals the cover portion to the bodyportion, and particularly seals the cover portion to one of the twoframes of the body portion, hereinafter referred to as the body rimframe, the other frame being the bottom frame. The bottom panel has anedge portion received in a groove in the inner circumference of thebottom frame. The body rim frame is offset from the bottom frametransversely of the bottom panel, and both frames are formed withrespective second grooves open toward each other, in which respectiveedge portions of a body side panel are received.

The cover portion includes a top frame and a top panel whose edgeportion is received in a third groove which extends in the innercircumference of the top frame.

The first-mentioned groove and the second and third grooves respectivelydefine first, second, and third planes. The first and third planes areparallel to each other and perpendicular to the second plane in theclosed condition of the piece of luggage. Each of the grooves is boundedtransversely of the associated plane by two opposite faces of thecorresponding frame, and at least one of the two opposite faces isformed with respective pluralities of alternating projections andrecesses.

When a layer of adhesive is interposed between the irregularly shapedface of the frame and the edge portion of a panel received in thegroove, the adhesive is mechanically interlocked with the face and alsoprevented from flowing out of the groove when softened by heat,particularly when the projections are ribs parallel to the open side ofthe groove.

Other features and the attendant advantages of this invention will beappreciated more fully as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description of preferred embodimentswhen considered in connection with the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a suitcase of the invention in fragmentary elevationalsection; and

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in a correspondingview.

Referring now to FIG. 1 in more detail, there is shown only as much of asuitcase as is needed for an understanding of the invention. Theelements ommited include all hardware, such as hinges, latches, andlocks, and the section illustrated is representative also of all otherelevational sections of the piece of luggage shown in FIG. 1.

The suitcase has three rectangular frames 1, 2, 3 of extruded aluminum.The bottom frame 1 has the crosssectional shape of two letters Jintegrally connected at right angles to each other so that twolongitudinal grooves 11, 12 in the frame 1 are open in two directionsoffset from each other. The groove 11 extends in the inner circumferenceof the frame 1 and defines the bottom plane of the suitcase in theillustrated position of the same.

The side walls 18, 19 of the grooves 11, 12 located on the inside of thesuitcase have longitudinal faces 13, 15 which bound the grooves jointlywith corresponding, opposite faces of the outer side walls. The sidewalls 18, 19 project beyond the open sides of the respective grooves 11,12 and the associated opposite side walls, and the inner faces 13, 15 inthe grooves 1 1, 12 are corrugated, the corrugations or ribs 14 beingelongated longitudinally of the walls 18, 19 and at right angles to theplane of FIG. 1. The opposite outer faces of each groove are free fromcorrugations.

The reduced edge portion of a rigid, wooden bottom panel 16 of thesuitcase body is received in the groove 11 with as little clearance asis practical, and the narrow gaps between the bottom panel and the wallsof the groove 11 are filled with a layer of adhesive, not explicitlyshown in the drawing for the sake of clarity. The adhesive also fillsthe recesses which alternate with the ribs 14. Rivets 100, of which onlyone is seen in FIG. 1, pass through the side wall 18 and the bottompanel 16 for further securing the latter to the bottom frame 1.

The illustrated part of the suitcase body further includes an uprightwooden side panel 17 whose lower edge is adhesively fastened in thegroove 12 in the same manner as described with reference to the groove11. The top edge of the side panel 17. is received in a groove 21 of thebody rim frame 2, the grooves 13 and 21 being open toward each other andjointly defining the lateral plane of the suitcase body in which theside panel 17 is located.

The frame 2 is approximately U-shaped in cross section, and the verticalwalls of the groove 21 defined by the legs of the U-shape are of equalwidth. The surface 23 of the inner wall carries ribs 14. A heavy sealingrib 24 projects upward from the bight portion of the U- shape andterminates in a flat horizontal sealing face 25. Adhesive, notexplicitly shown, fastens the frame 2 to the side panel 17. j

The cover portion of the suitcase includes a top frame 3 having ahorizontally open groove 31 in its inner circumference. The wooden toppanel 32 of the cover portion is partly received in the groove 31 andadhesively fastened to the frame 3, as described with reference to thebottom panel 16 and the bottom frame 1. The frame 3, as far as describedso far, is .I-shaped in cross section, the longer leg 38 of the J-shapeproviding the inner wall 33 of the groove 31 and being provided withlongitudinal ribs 14 for better anchorage of an adhesive film, notitself explicitly shown.

The hollow side panel of the suitcase cover is an integral part of theframe 3 and depends from the bight portion of the .I-shape. The outerand inner aluminum layers 34, 35 of the side wall are connected byspaced transverse stiffening members 36, 37, and the latter, jointlywith the free edge portions of the layers 34, 35, bounds a downwardlyopen groove 38 in which a cylinvdrical sealing string 50 of resilientmaterial, such as rubber, is retained by ribs 39 projecting into thegroove 38 from the aluminum layers 34, 35. The aforedescribed sealingrib 24 is so dimensioned that it can enter the groove 38 in theillustrated closed position of the suitcase for sealing engagementbetween the face 25 and the rubber string 50.

All wooden panels 16, 17, and 32 are provided with protective anddecorative outer skins 70 of adhesively fastened, softer polyvinylchloride composition, and all exposed aluminum surfaces of the frames 1,2, 3 are provided with coarse corrugations or ribs 60 elongated parallelto the bottom and top panels 16, 32, except for planar outer surfaceportions 134, 135 on the aluminum layer 34 which are dimensioned forreceiving identifying labels and bounded by the corrugations or ribs 60which protect the labels. The ribs 60 contribute to the stiffness of theframes, have a decorative effect of their own, and reduce thedetrimental effect of scratches in the relatively soft aluminum surfaceson the appearance of the suitcase. Such scratches cannot be avoidedentirely by the artificial oxide layer with which all exposed aluminumsurfaces are provided by anodizing in a conventional manner prior toassembly with other elements of the suitcase.

The suitcase partly shown in FIG. 2 differs from that described abovewith reference to FIG. 1 by the construction of its cover portion whichis assembled from a top frame 3' surrounding the top wall 32, a coverrim frame 4, and a cover side panel 48.

The tope frame 3 has the double J-section described with reference tothe bottom frame 1 in FIG. 1, and the horizontally open groove 31 in theframe 3 receives an edge portion of the top panel 32, a non-illustratedlayer of adhesive being interposed between the top wall 32 and the facesof the frame 3 in the groove 31, including a ribbed surface 33 of theinner groove wall 38.

The cover rim frame 4 is approximately H-shaped in cross section so asto define an upwardly open groove 41 and a downwardly open groove 46separated by a heavy web 45. Edge portions of the cover side panel 48are received in the groove 41 and the downwardly open groove of the topframe 3, and secured in the grooves by adhesive, not illustrated, thebond between the adhesive and the metal being enhanced by ribs 14 on theface 42 extending in the lateral plane of the cover defined by theopposite grooves. The upright walls 43 and 44 of the cover rim frame 4are of equal vertical width and elongated at right angles to the planeof FIG. 2.

The groove 46 bounded by the web 45 and the depending portions of thewalls 43, 44 receives therein a sealing string 50 in the mannerdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 for cooperation with the sealing ribon the body rim frame 2, the string 50 being secured by projecting ribs39 on the walls 43, 44 of adequate hight to prevent escape of the stringin the relaxed condition of the latter while permitting insertion of theresiliently deformed string.

It will be understood that the suitcase partly illustrated in FIG. 2 isidentical with that described with reference to FIG. 1 as far as notexplicitly shown or described otherwise, and a description of the commonfeatures will not be required for an understanding of the modifiedsuitcase.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates only to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that it isintended to cover all changes and modifications in the examples of theinvention herein chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do notconstitute departures from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A piece of luggage comprising, in combination:

A. a body portion including a. a bottom frame formed with a first groovein the inner circumference thereof;

b. a bottom panel member having an edge portion received in said firstgroove;

c. a body rim frame offset from said bottom frame transversely of saidbottom panel member,

1. said frames being formed with respective second grooves open towardeach other;

d. a body side panel member having two edge portions, said edge portionsbeing received in said second grooves respectively;

' B. a cover portion including a. a top frame formed with a third groovein the inner circumference thereof;

b. a top panel member having an edge portion received in said thirdgroove; and

C. sealing means for releasably sealing said cover portion to said rimframe;

a. said first, second, and third grooves respectively defining first,second, and third planes,

b. each groove being bounded transversely of the associated plane by twoopposite faces of the corresponding frame,

c. one of said faces being formed with respective pluralities ofalternating projections and recesses,

d. one of said panel members consisting of sub stantially rigid materialcarrying an outer skin of a material softer than said rigid material anddirected toward the other one of said faces in the grooves receivingsaid one panel member,

e. said other face being free of alternating projections and recesses;and

f. a layer of adhesive interposed between said one face and the edgeportion received in said groove and securing said edge portion to saidone face.

2. A piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said frames has anouter face and a plurality of ribs on said outer face, the ribs on oneof said frames bounding a planar outer face portion of said one framemember.

3. A piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein said top frame includes awall member extending in said second plane away from said third planeand toward said body rim frame, said wall member being formed with afourth groove open toward said body rim frame, said wall member havingouter and inner elongated face portions bounding therebetween a cavityin said wall member, one of two transverse stiffening members separatingsaid fourth groove from said cavity, and the other stiffening memberdividing said cavity into two portions respectively adjacent said fourthgroove and remote from said fourth groove, said stiffening membersconnecting said face portions to each other.

4. A piece as set forth in claim 3, said face portions abuttinglyengaging respective edge portions of said body rim frame in the closedcondition of said piece, said sealing means including asealing ribprojecting from said body rim frame between said edge portions into saidfourth groove, and a sealing member of resilient material received insaid fourth groove in abutting engagement with said sealing rib.

5. A piece as set forth in claim 4, said sealing member having acylindrically arcuate face directed toward said sealing rib, and thelatter has a flat sealing face directed toward said sealing member.

6. A piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing means includewall means secured to said top frame and defining an elongated fourthgroove open toward said body rim frame, said wall means having two0pposite elongated faces bounding the open side of said fourth groovetherebetween, an elongated, resilient sealing member received in saidfourth groove, and a rib projecting into said fourth groove between saidopen side and said sealing member from each face bounding said openside, said ribs being dimensioned to retain said sealing member in saidfourth groove.

7. A piece as set forth in claim 6, wherein said wall means constitute acover rim frame of substantially H- shaped cross section, said cover rimframe and said top frame being formed with respective fifth grooves opentoward each other, said piece further comprising a cover side panel,respective edge portions of said cover side panel being received in saidfifth grooves, said fifth grooves being each bounded by two oppositefaces of the corresponding frames, one of the faces bounding said fifthgroove being formed with alternating projections and recesses.

8. A piece as set forth in claim 6, wherein said body rim frame includesa sealing rib directed toward said fourth groove and dimensioned forbeing received in said fourth groove, said sealing rib having a planarsealing face engaging said sealing member when said sealing rib isreceived in said fourth groove.

1. A piece of luggage comprising, in combination: A. a body portionincluding a. a bottom frame formed with a first groove in the innercircumference thereof; b. a bottom panel member having an edge portionreceived in said first groove; c. a body rim frame offset from saidbottom frame transversely of said bottom panel member,
 1. said framesbeing formed with respective second grooves open toward each other; d. abody side panel member having two edge portions, said edge portionsbeing received in said second grooves respectively; B. a cover portionincluding a. a top frame formed with a third groove in the innercircumference thereof; b. a top panel member having an edge portionreceived in said third groove; and C. sealing means for releasablysealing said cover portion to said rim frame; a. said first, second, andthird grooves respectively defining first, second, and third planes, b.each groove being bounded transversely of the associated plane by twoopposite faces of the corresponding frame, c. one of said faces beingformed with respective pluralities of alternating projections andrecesses, d. one of said panel members consisting of substantially rigidmaterial carrying an outer skin of a material softer than said rigidmaterial and directed toward the other one of said faces in the groovesreceiving said one panel member, e. said other face being free ofalternating projections and recesses; and f. a layer of adhesiveinterposed between said one face and the edge portion received in saidgroove and securing said edge portion to said one face.
 2. A piece asset forth in claim 1, wherein each of said frames has an outer face anda plurality of ribs on said outer face, the ribs on one of said framesbounding a planar outer face portion of said one frame member.
 3. Apiece as set forth in claim 1, wherein said top frame includes a wallmember extending in said second plane away from said third plane andtoward said body rim frame, said wall member being formed with a fourthgroove open toward said body rim frame, said wall member having outerand inner elongated face portions bounding therebetween a cavity in saidwall member, one of two transverse stiffening members separating saidfourth groove from said cavity, and the other stiffening member dividingsaid cavity into two portions respectively adjacent said fourth grooveand remote from said fourth groove, said stiffening members connectingsaid face portions to each other.
 4. A piece as set forth in claim 3,said face portions abuttingly engaging respective edge portions of saidbody rim frame in the closed condition of said piece, said sealing meansincluding a sealing rib projecting from said body rim frame between saidedge portions into said fourth groove, and a sealing member of resilientmaterial received in said fourth groove in abutting engagement with saidsealing rib.
 5. A piece as set forth in claim 4, said sealing memberhaving a cylindrically arcuate face directed toward said sealing rib,and the latter has a flat sealing face directed toward said sealingmember.
 6. A piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing meansinclude wall means secured to said top frame and defining an elongatedfourth groove open toward said body rim frame, said wall means havingtwo opposite elongated faces bounding the open side of said fourthgroove therebetween, an elongated, resilient sealing member received insaid fourth groove, and a rib projecting into said fourth groove betweensaid open side and said sealing member from each face bounding said openside, said ribs being dimensioned to retain said sealing member in saidfourth groove.
 7. A piece as set forth in claim 6, wherein said wallmeaNs constitute a cover rim frame of substantially H-shaped crosssection, said cover rim frame and said top frame being formed withrespective fifth grooves open toward each other, said piece furthercomprising a cover side panel, respective edge portions of said coverside panel being received in said fifth grooves, said fifth groovesbeing each bounded by two opposite faces of the corresponding frames,one of the faces bounding said fifth groove being formed withalternating projections and recesses.
 8. A piece as set forth in claim6, wherein said body rim frame includes a sealing rib directed towardsaid fourth groove and dimensioned for being received in said fourthgroove, said sealing rib having a planar sealing face engaging saidsealing member when said sealing rib is received in said fourth groove.